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City and Borough of Juneau Mayor Beth Weldon and Assembly Member Michelle Bonnet Hale talk with City Manager Rorie Watt Wednesday night after the the 2024-2025 municipal budget was introduced at the city finance committee meeting. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

City considers lowering property tax rate as budget process begins

High revenues mean bold investments, city officials say

Sun shines on a sign outside of Riverview Senior Living, an assisted-living community expected to welcome move-ins in early May. Ahead of that, a public event featuring Riverview’s team of directors will be held Saturday at the Baranof Dowtnown. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

News

Progress in view for Riverview

Move-in day is on the horizon and a public information event is set for Saturday.

Signs encouraging voters to support Proposition 2, which OK’d $6.6 million in bond debt for recreation improvements, sit in a chair on the track at Adair-Kennedy Memorial Park ahead of a football game last fall. Monday evening, the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly approved issuing the bond debt, but concern was expressed about whether field work would involve artificial turf. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

News

City directs $6.6M toward recreation projects approved by voters

Assembly member expressed concerns about one of the project’s link to PFAS

This is a photo of the current site plan of the proposed Capital Civic Center. On Monday night the Assembly authorized $5 million to go toward the project that is expected to cost $75 million. (City and Borough of Juneau)

News

City OKs $5M toward proposed Capital Civic Center

The money is intended to show the city’s commitment to the project as it seeks federal funding

A police officer stands on duty in early March. The City and Borough of Juneau announced Monday incoming Juneau Police Department officers will now be offered a hiring bonus of up to $30,000 in exchange for a four-year commitment to the department. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

News

City offers up to $30K hiring bonus for new police officers

Police union representative says it’s not enough to fix the department’s recruitment challenges

The City and Borough of Juneau cash office and sales tax office returns to regular service hours starting Monday. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

CBJ cash office and sales tax office returns to regular service hours

This comes after months of reduced operating hours due to a staffing shortage

A dog poop bag dispenser sits filled with bags ready for use at the entrance of Kaxdigoowu Héen Dei, also known as Brotherhood Bridge Trail. The City and Borough of Juneau spends about $10,000 a year on dog poop bags, officials say, but the issue of owners not picking after their pets persists. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

City prepares for dog doo doom of the spring thaw

CBJ spends $10,000 on dog poop bags each year but the problem still persists, officials say

A car drives up a hill near Auke Bay in early March. Transportation was a popular topic in a recent draft report that found lower greenhouse gas emissions in Juneau when comparing 2010 to 2021. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

Report: Juneau’s greenhouse gas emissions down from 2010 to 2021

While dubbed good news, it concludes a trend cannot be definitively established.

This photo shows downtown Juneau in late October. The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly Finance Committee OK’d the city to begin drafting an ordinance that would make it a requirement to register short-term rentals in Juneau. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

News

City considers short-term rental registration requirement

New survey shows difficulty in assessing accurate data on short-term rental stock.

Ride Alaska co-owners James King, left, and Reuben Willis, right, speak to the Assembly meeting as the Committee of the Whole Monday evening to discuss their proposed business venture to bring electric-assisted bicycle tours to West Douglas’ Pioneer Road. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

City OKs another step toward proposed Pioneer Road e-bike tours

The company seeks to provide tours three times per day, six days a week during the summer months

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File Snows is scattered on the ground between houses on Douglas. The city recently sent out property value notices to Juneau owners, informing them of the annual assessed values of their property.

News

Property assessment hike has some owners alarmed

City reports average increase to be around 16%, however some residents report an over 40% increase.

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Buddy, Juneau Police Department’s narcotics dog, plays in a snow pile outside of the Juneau Police Station Tuesday afternoon.

News

K-9 keeps nose to grindstone as he nears retirement

Buddy continues to play a critical role in drug control in Juneau

Cars zoom across the downtown bridge connecting Juneau to Douglas Island. Thursday evening the City and Borough of Juneau Public Works and Facilities Committee hosted an open forum meeting to discuss a proposed second crossing from Juneau to Douglas Island. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

Opinions cross at city-hosted second crossing meeting

Residents express support and concern about the potential project.

The Juneau School District was scammed out of nearly $270,000 this fall, according to a memo shared with the City and Borough of Juneau Finance Committee at its Wednesday night meeting. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

News

School district scammed out of nearly $270,000 by someone posing as a vendor

City officials say CBJ may assist in covering the financial burden

The sun shines over the Montana Creek area Saturday afternoon. Earlier this week, the City and Borough of Juneau released the final draft of the Montana Creek Draft master plan, which is now open for public comment until March. 29. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire)

News

City releases final draft of Montana Creek master plan

Residents have until the end of March to submit comments

Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire Fresh snow covers West Douglas Pioneer Road Saturday afternoon. Monday evening the City and Borough of Juneau Assembly discussed whether to move forward with a local company which seeks to gain access to provide electric-assisted bicycle tours on the city-owned gravel road.

News

Longer road ahead for proposed e-bike tours on Pioneer Road

A company seeks to provide tours three times per day, six days a week

The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly voted Monday evening to consolidate the Treadwell Arena Advisory Board, the Aquatics Board and the Jensen-Olson Arboretum Advisory Board into one collective Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire File)

News

City to consolidate multiple advisory boards

The decision comes after difficulties to fill board vacancies and maintain consist meetings

A lifeguard walks the perimeter of the Augustus Brown Pool Friday morning. The 50-year-old City and Borough of Juneau-owned pool is planned to close on April 3 of this year and will remain closed until early 2024 to undergo $8 million in renovations. (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

A splashy renovation: Augustus Brown Pool set for an update

Renovations include locker/changing rooms, resurfacing leisure pool and electrical systems upgrades.

A life preserver hangs on a post at Don. D Statter Harbor Tuesday evening. On Thursday evening, the City and Borough of Juneau’s Docks and Harbors board discussed a potential 8.1% increase to all docks and harbors fees starting in July along with an additional 9% increase on top of that to be implemented in the next few years (Clarise Larson / Juneau Empire)

News

Docks and harbors board considers fee increases, requiring insurance

The increase is set to be the largest in 40 years, said port director

City Finance Director Jeff Rogers speaks to the Juneau Chamber of Commerce in 2019. (Michael Penn / Juneau Empire File)

News

City finance director to leave post

Jeff Rogers said he expects to depart sometime this summer